Super League Grand Final preview: Records to be broken

This Saturday current champions St Helens and challengers Leeds Rhinos clash in the Super League Grand Final in what looks set to be a titanic battle at Old Trafford.

Both sides have an impressive history of Grand Final success, with St Helens holding the record with nine victories, one clear of Leeds. Can the Rhinos join their rivals on nine wins?

Leeds momentum to carry them over the line?

Since recently appointed manager Rohan Smith took the helm halfway through the season, Leeds Rhinos have accelerated at a rapid pace, winning 11 from their last 13 fixtures. After looking unlikely candidates to make the play offs, the Rhinos have proven their worth, and are looking to achieve their first Super League title in five years.

Their last fixture saw them better second placed in the table, Wigan Warriors, which secured them the spot in the final. The match ended 20-8, with James Bentley scoring two tries to lock in the victory and put distance between them and their opponents.

It’s clear that Leeds have had a resurgence throughout the second half of the season, but will the momentum carry them all the way? They enter the final as the underdogs at 17/10.

St Helens look to impress as beloved manager departs

St Helens look to make it their fourth consecutive Super League title, which manager Kristian Woolf has played no small part in. He has been at the club for just three years and has overseen the most successful period in recent memory, and probably ever.

Unfortunately for the Saints, Woolf is stepping down after this weekend’s finale. His achievements during his tenure cannot be understated, including being the first manager to win the Grand Final three times.

Aside from their manager’s departure, St Helens look in their best shape yet, topping the table with 21 wins to just six losses. Their last game out in the title play-offs saw them beat the Salford Red Devils 19-12, in what was a closely contested fixture.

St Helens will be eager to impress this weekend in hopes of a celebratory send off for their manager, but will it be enough to stop the rising tide of the Rhinos? The Saints head into this fixture the favourites at 1/2.

Key player to watch?

Any St Helens fan will know the name James Roby, and the instrumental role he has played in holding down the front row for the Saints. After over 500 appearances, the hooker will be featuring in his 11th Grand Final this weekend.

Roby will be breaking or equalling records either way this weekend, joining former Leeds prop Jamie Peacock for the record number of Grand Final appearances, and less impressively would become the only man to lose six League Finals should the Rhinos better St Helens this Saturday.

This will be a big game for the hooker, and a player of the match performance would also see him break the record for the greatest number of Harry Sunderland trophy awards, at three, if he can pull it off. Roby is 7/1 to achieve this feat by being chosen as man of the match.

Head-to-head

How have the two sides faired when matched up against each other previously?

The last meeting between these two sides ended 42-12 victory for the Saints on June 23rd, their 11th straight win over Leeds. In their last 11 meetings St Helens have wiped the floor with the Rhinos, a run that stretches all the way back to March 2018 and one that will be a big mental hurdle for Leeds to clear if they are to win this.

These were all dominant victories, so it’s no surprise St Helens head into this match the favourites and will expect a similar performance this time around. However, Leeds will surely be fired up to try to equal St Helens’ total of Grand Final wins as well as gain their revenge for the dominance of their rivals in recent meetings.

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